Digging Deeper Days
Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!
Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out My Adultery!
The Questions
1) What does it mean to be a “royal priesthood?”
2) If God loves everyone the same, which is the “chosen race?”
3) Now that you are God’s people, does anything change?
1 Peter 2:9-10
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
Original Intent
1) What does the term “royal priesthood” mean?
To understand this term, we must investigate a verse describing Christ as “a priest in the order of Melchizedek.” Hebrews 6:7-10 states, “During his earthly life, he offered prayers and appeals with loud cries and tears to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. Although he was the Son, he learned obedience from what he suffered. After he was perfected, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, and he was declared by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.”
So, who was Melchizedek? Melchizedek was a priest and the king of Salem, the site of what would later be Jerusalem. We really don’t know anything else about him, but this is all we need to know. God has declared Jesus to be a priest “in the order of,” or the same type of priest, as Melchizedek. Which means that Jesus is also a priest and a king. A royal priest.
2) If God loves everyone the same, which is the “chosen race?”
Race implies that everyone in it has the same Father (God) and therefore all the same rights and privileges. The Church (i.e. Christians) now have the same rights and privileges as the Jews because we all have the same Father. The nation of Israel was the “chosen nation” in Old Testament times. God told them, “You will be my people and I will be your God.” The Lord had a divine plan and, as we now know, that plan involved Jesus being born as a member of the nation of Israel, the Jews. He came to draw people from all nations into a saving relationship with the Father. This in no way negates the fact that Israel is chosen and special to God, but it does allow for the family of God to expand exponentially!
3) Now that you are God’s people, does anything change?
Peter’s message is to Gentile converts to Christianity. Gentiles were also known as “barbarians.” Prior to becoming a child of God, the Jews considered a Gentile unclean (Acts 11:1-10). Most Jewish believers thought that God offered salvation only to the Jews because God had given His law to them (Exodus 19-20). When Peter explained the falling of the Holy Spirit on a house full of Gentiles and their belief in the Lord Jesus Christ, a turning point was reached. Not overwhelming joy, but the beginning of acceptance. The first church congregation that included both Jews and Gentiles was at Antioch. These believers were called Christians, which was the first time this term was used. All they had in common was Christ…not race, culture, or even language. Gentiles had gone from being outcasts to being one with Jews because of their belief in Christ.
Everyday Application
1) What does the term “royal priesthood” mean?
Christians sometimes speak of “the priesthood of all believers.” In Old Testament times, people did not approach God directly. A priest acted as intermediary between God and sinful human beings. Christ is now our high priest, interceding for us in heaven (Romans 8:34). When we are united with Christ as members of His body, we join in His priestly work of reconciling God and His people. And we are royalty…daughters of the King! Let’s put on those tiaras and hold our heads high, ladies!
2) If God loves everyone the same, which is the “chosen race?”
Believers are definitely members of the “chosen race” because God is our Father, but this does not mean that non-believers are any less valuable to God. He does love each person because He is Creator. He made us all, fashioning each of us in our mother’s womb. Sisters, if you have ever experienced prejudice from the community of faith, I am so sorry. We are not to judge but to invite non-believers into the family. We – I – do a disservice to seekers if I don’t glorify my God through my daily life. Lord, help me to always be aware that people are watching and help me to show them Your light.
3) Now that you are God’s people, does anything change?
We who are believers in the redemptive work of Christ on the cross are now called children of God. But we are also members of the global Church, the bride of Christ. To the married ladies among us: did anything change for you on your wedding day? Maybe your last name, your home address…but most importantly, your leader changed. Oh, I know, it seems a bit antiquated to say that. Let me put it this way: instead of going to your dad or uncle or older brother with any issue or need, you now go directly to your husband. Now take this picture and insert Christ as your husband. You can now go directly to Him, your Lord and Savior, with any need or issue. What an amazing privilege! Marriages usually have a difficult, if not impossible, road to reconciliation following adultery. My marriage ended as a result. I found it impossible to trust the man who had betrayed me and lied for months to attempt to cover it up. God considered the nation of Israel like an adulterous spouse when she turned to other gods. He also considers us – you and me, sister, here in the 21st century – adulterous toward Him when (not if) we put something good in the place of first priority…where only He belongs.
But God.
He is patient.
He is gracious and full of mercy.
He is love.
God, please forgive my adultery. I love you. I want my relationship with You to take first priority.
What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with My Adultery!
Digging Deeper is for Everyone!
1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!
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Why Dig Deeper?
Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.
In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!
Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.
Study Tools
We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.
Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!
Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))
Memorize It!
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